A/N: Another chapter up! This would have come sooner if it wasn't for all the summer distractions of sewing and such. XD Not to mention, I had a MAJOR writer's block on how to freaking start this chapter. But obviously, it got written... yay plot development (I hope)! Anyway, enjoy. :)

Chapter 4: Tension and Secrets

He had stolen yet another thing from him...

Ever since they were children, Len had always held the higher status, receiving more praise and more name. At social gatherings, he had always been more admired and Kaito was merely the shadow he stood on. It was all due to the fact that the Kagamine estate held higher status than that of the Shion household. The Shions had always been affiliated with the Kagamines for the sake of gaining status and good name, but Kaito resented that he and his family would be nothing otherwise. To Kaito, Len was nothing more than a thief of his dignity. Now, he had stolen yet another thing from him...

The Lady Miku Hatsune.

Kaito had met Miku at a party held by Duke Hatsune and immediately was taken with her. When he had requested of his father to arrange a marriage with her, he was immediately turned down. A family of their status was not worthy of a Duke's daughter, he was told. Not long after and to his incredible distaste, Kaito had learned of the engagement between Len and Miku. And not only that, his own marriage was to be arranged with that of the daughter of Earl Kagami who desperately wanted to barter off his poorly-mannered daughter. He had no choice to obey for the sake of his father's approval. Without knowing, Len was taking everything that Kaito ever wanted.

So how could Kaito resist at the luncheon when Len had excused himself for a walk?

The two of them were now alone with Len's figure walking quickly off into the distance. Miku had stared after Len for a moment, but then her eyes shyly trailed to her fiddling hands. Kaito didn't look back at Len, but kept his gaze intently locked on the woman sitting across from him. He had felt a growing fire in his heart, burning it with a heated passion. Kaito knew very well that he was to hide the warmth in his chest, however, for the sake of keeping true to his father's name. However at the same time, he found himself found in an insatiable captivation.

"Is something the matter, Lord Kaito?"

Her words had caught him by surprise. At the sound of her voice, he jumped in his chair and something crawled all over his skin. It was like she had caught a thief in the middle of the crime. Kaito had done his best to quickly put on the most convincing mask he could muster, concealing his swirling feelings. He permitted himself to stare into her eyes, though.

"No, nothing is the matter." Kaito responded, smiling.

He knew he could not contain the dwelling passion growing ever larger within his heart. The more Kaito gazed into Miku's turquoise eyes, the more he thirsted after her. He could feel sweat forming on his face as he could not contain himself much longer.

"Are you enjoying yourself so far?"

Miku shied a glance away, beating her long eyelashes for a moment as if she wanted to avoid his gaze. However, she lifted her head and looked around the garden so beautifully carved and crafted before looking back at Kaito.

"Yes, I am... the garden here is absolutely beautiful."

Kaito's mind churned as he placed both of his elbows on the table and set his chin on his interlocked fingers, "You may come here as much as you like, then."

Kaito could tell that Miku was trying to mask her emotions. Her face remained nearly expressionless, but he couldn't help but notice her eyes widen a little. Only after a little while did she permit herself to smile.

"I'm flattered, but I don't think it is proper for me to come on my own."

"You are to be the wife of a man I am in close relations with," He began, "I only find it appropriate that I must learn of you better as well."

To this, Miku paused in silence, glancing from here to there, each time, returning to Kaito's face. Eventually, her look of calculation and thoughtfulness turned into a sweet and innocent smile—cocking her head to the side, almost resembling a pure child.

"Well, if you put it that way..." She began, "If my lord insists."

"I do insist." Kaito responded.

This was to be secret... this was to silence the flames raging onward in him. He would be silent of his adoration—leaving no trace. And if he was taking something from Len, then that was enough to satisfy him.

The moon was high and brilliant stars riddled the sky as Rin and Len rode together in the night. Crickets chirped an aria to accompany them along their way and the wind quietly and gently brushed them. It had come to Len's knowledge that the Kagami estate was not far from Crypton Lake, so he had offered to bring Rin home to prolong his time with her. Not many words were passed between them—it was unnecessary. With Len's chest leaning against her back, he would once in a while turn his head to nuzzle Rin's hair and she would respond by turning her head a little towards him. Looking up at the moon, Len idly wondered how late it was, but with Rin there, he quickly brushed away the thought.

"Oh, here is good enough." Rin finally broke the silence when they had come within walking distance to the manor.

Len helped Rin dismount, still gently grasping her hands as her feet touched the ground.

"I eagerly await our next meeting." Len whispered.

"I, the same," Rin replied, "I pray that all goes well with your father."

"And I pray that you may find freedom." His hand moved to tuck back a lock of her hair behind her ear.

Len bent forward, his eyes glazing over wit enchantment, leaning closer to her. To close the distance between them, Rin stood on the very tips of her toes to meet Len's lips. Their kiss was solemn, but swift, for Rin had pulled away faster than Len had expected. He still lingered when Rin walked away from Len, but with her head still turned toward him with eyes that had stars of their own. Just before the distance became too great, they exchanged a smile in the darkness and Rin paced towards her prison as Len rode away to his own.

His estate looked ominous in the night with dark walls and dimly lit windows with candlelight. Len couldn't help but notice the feeling that dwelt within him, telling him that this was far from home. After he had returned his horse to the stable, Len quietly made his way into the manor, but not without a pair of eyes on him.

Earl Kagamine glowered down at his son, who had disappeared into his home. He glanced over to the tall pendulum clock standing in his office and noticed the hour. What an irresponsible son of his. He held the same look of complete distaste the next morning after breakfast, when Len had entered his office.

"Where were you last night?" Earl Kagamine grumbled, sifting through papers without looking up to meet Len's eyes.

Len was slightly taken aback at the sudden inquiry. Frantically, he searched for an excuse in his mind, "I searched all day for a ring, but I could not find one to my tastes." He began, "I needed some time to myself, so I got caught up in the nearby wood."

"A man in your future line of work doesn't need time to himself. Especially little trips to the wood that a child would venture on."

Len frowned at his father, who still sifted through papers on his desk. But he remained standing in the same place. He had come with one purpose: to act on Rin's advice and inquire of his father. However, he didn't know how to approach him after that exchange of words. He was left intimidated. Then very suddenly, Len's shoulder twitched when Earl Kagamine looked up from his work and stared directly at Len.

"Now what's your business here?"

"Ah..." Len stiffened.

Earl Kagamine was growing more and more impatient with the silence. However Len breathed deep and relaxed when Rin's image crossed his mind with her soft words of encouragement.

"I have something to ask of you," Len began, "A proposal, if you will. There are many out there who do not have the means of shelter or food and are living in dire poverty. I suggest that we, the Kagamine family, reach out to these individuals by contributing some of our surplus wealth—connecting with them and helping them in their time of need."

His father said nothing to this and merely stared at him with a face that Len could hardly read. Earl Kagamine very casually stood up from his chair and walked around his desk toward his son. He stood in front of him for a moment, then very suddenly, struck Len on the cheek. Len quickly grasped his wounded side with the palm of his hand, mind swirling and body in shock.

"What is this nonsense you speak of? We are of nobility—a world higher than the filth we tread upon." Earl Kagamine's voice boomed, "What is with this silly proposal? You dwell in a world more elevated than theirs, and as my son, you should act as such."

Only then did Len finally turn his head to meet his father's cold stare—familiar blue eyes that had always glowered down at him since his childhood, eyes that always expressed a coldness rather than a warmth that a father's eyes should show. Something in Len's mind snapped as he ground his teeth together, facing the man that failed to be the nurturer Len thought he should be.

"What if the ground we stand on crumbles?" Len began, his own voice turning firm, "I'm only asking you to be compassionate and give to those who are in need!"

A sting flew across Len's other cheek now and his head was brought low. A tear formed in the corner of Len's eye from the pain, but his eyebrows were furrowed with anger.

"Who gave you the clothes you wear? The food you eat? The roof you stand under? I've even given you life in this world. If you ask me, I've already been considerate enough." His voice was much harsher now, "And yet look how ungrateful you are! This just shows me that I've been too lenient on you, my son. Just know that just as easily as I have given you all that you possess, I can just as easily take it away. All I'm asking is that you obey me and follow the path that you have been set on as my heir."

With that Earl Kagamine returned to his desk and began to sift through papers once more, "Now get out of my sight."

With fists clenched tightly, Len turned without giving another glance to his father and stalked out of his father's office. Len's mind was raging so much that he did not know how long it had taken to return to his chamber, he could not properly perceive time. When he had, his balled fist was let loose and he struck whatever he could, letting out cries of rage. At last he had reached a full length mirror, standing erect and tall before him. Len slowly lifted his head to face the man in the mirror whose countenance was red with distaste and tears streaming down his cheeks. Then he noticed his eyes, his father's eyes. A furious scream ripped from Len's lips as he took his fist and pounded on the mirror before him, shattering a section of it. Then with blood streaming down his hand, Len fell to his knees whimpering and contorting his face from the pain from his body and soul.

Rin jumped at the sound of blades clashing, their ring piercing the silence of the hall with an echo. She dreaded the sound of metal scraping against metal and hearing puffs of exhaustion. She knew that both of the duelists that she spectated were merely playing at each other in practice, but she couldn't help but feel a certain unease. She glanced at the woman sitting next to her, Miku, sitting completely still and calm and wondered how she managed to do so. Perhaps the reason, Rin thought, that she was so uneasy was because of those who were participating in the duel: Len and Kaito.

She noticed that Kaito had the upper hand. Rin had only just fully realized how slender Len truly was. Looking at Kaito, he was tall and toned, obviously accustomed to the rigorousness of this activity. As he fought, his face held a slight smirk the entire time and even though a few droplets of sweat rolled down his forehead, he rarely showed any fatigue. When Rin looked at Len, however, he was much smaller in stature with thin arms and a tenuous body. He was constantly being pushed back by Kaito's sword and a look of deep, over-strained concentration painted his face. The loudest breaths came from his lungs, the sound that put Rin on edge.

She had to try her hardest to suppress the gasp that nearly passed her lips when Kaito struck Len's sword out of his hands. Len had fallen backwards, breathing hard; and when he looked up the tip of Kaito's blade pointed at his throat. Like a painting, the image there seemed to be held for an eternity. Even though this was just "practice", Rin couldn't help but notice a lingering feeling of agitation emanating from Kaito. Len must have sensed it as well, because he held his expression of apprehension longer. Weren't these men supposed to be friends?

At last the tension was broken when Kaito's hard face revealed the slight curve of a smile. That smile turned into a grin and that grin led to a laugh. Len responded similarly as the sword was retreated away from him. Kaito lifted Len from his arm and helped him to his feet.

"I was always better at things like these."

"Nonsense," Len responded brushing his waistcoat, "I'm merely having an off-day."

"Well, that was a splendid performance from you both," Miku said, standing up and clasping her hands together, "Will you have another match, or shall we have some tea?"

"I think some tea is in order," Kaito began, "Len here doesn't seem like he can even take another step."

Len nodded to a servant into the distance, who consequently left the room to prepare some tea after hearing Kaito's remarks. Len turned toward Miku and Rin, of course eyes lingering a bit more on Rin,

"You two head on to the drawing room, we'll meet you there after we clean up a bit." He was still panting from the fight.

Miku gracefully stood up without glancing at Rin to see if she was following—in fact, it seemed that she was trying to lose her. Rin lingered behind her and the two walked across the room, but not without a quick glance between Rin and Len. He longed to at least kiss her on the cheek, but their caged up world would not permit him to. And so he was left with nothing but a fluttering heart as she passed to leave the room.

When Kaito and Len were alone, they began to unstrap the scabbards from their waists and return the swords to their kept places. As Len was wiping the last bit of sweat off of him, Kaito moved next to him and spoke in a cold, dark tone.

"Have you ever kept any secrets, Len?"

Len froze for a moment, chest tightening and mind swirling. Was Kaito suspecting him? Though he was unsure when Len finally turned toward Kaito to find an odd smirk on his face. He frantically searched for a response to destroy any suspicion Kaito had if there was any. All the while, Len's heart pounded in slight panic of being exposed. He didn't want his and Rin's relationship to end so quickly.

"Doesn't every person keep their secrets?"

Kaito's smirk disappeared for a moment as if his mind was contemplating Len's words. Then he erupted into a chuckle and hung his sword on the wall next to the others, "Indeed, you're right."

Weeks and weeks crawled by and even though Rin and Len still held to each other fast, it was so very hard to express what passion they had for each other. Even with their brief moments of dances a parties, the times where they crossed gazes at tea time, or even the occasions where they'd meet at Crypton Lake it never seemed to be enough time to hold each other tenderly. Earl Kagamine had noticed Len's extended absences and had begun to lecture him on his punctuality, while Earl Kagami punished Rin for her impropriety.

But one thing was certain—every moment without each other was painful, almost as if they felt agony from a hallow place in their hearts. Rin and Len wanted to taste each other's lips, hold each other's bodies, and feel each other skin to skin. The shackles and chains that bound them did not allow much time for that, however. And so one day, in a brief moment of privacy, Rin made a suggestion,

"At the stroke of midnight, when my parents are asleep... no, when the whole world is asleep, will you come to my chamber? The hours are long, and we'll be able to see each other every night."

Len dazedly recalled her words as he watched the clock in his chamber, lying wide awake in his bed. The thought of being with Rin so late at night caused his heart to flutter with excitement. He eagerly watched the clock hand move closer and closer to the designated hour and he grew zealous when he noticed the candle lights across the way from his window being snuffed out. When the time was close at hand, he rose from his bed and quietly made his way to the stables. He was clueless as to how to saddle his horse and how to slip on the reins, and so after many failed attempts, his eagerness caused him to set off riding bareback.

He couldn't help but notice how quiet the night was. It was as Rin said—the world had fallen asleep. However it was the time when their love would waken. The road to the Kagami estate was long, perhaps due to Len's excitement, but when the mansion had finally come into view, his blood seemed to move faster. He dismounted his horse, leaving it shadowed by a large tree and ran toward the estate. He searched high and low for an open window, for Rin said that she would leave hers open with a way to climb up. When he had seen a long, white sheet being hung from a balcony, his heart skipped a beat and he approached it. Len wasn't the most athletic man in the world so the climb was a bit tiresome, but he told himself he'd be willing to climb any mountain for the woman he was about to see.

When he had finally reached the top, he peered into the open french doors leading into a shadowy bed chamber, lace curtains blowing gently in the midnight wind. Len peered closely into the darkness, and on the bed he could see a figure lightly bathed in the light of the moon. When his eyes adjusted, he could see that a smile crossed her lips. He stepped forward, slipping off his shoes toward his angel—with her white nightgown, she most certainly appeared to be one. When Len had stopped to steal one more glance of her, the clock in her chamber began to chime twelve rings, marking the beginning of their time together.

Silently, Rin stood up from her bed and approached Len, her blue eyes once again reflecting the stars. Then gently, she cupped his cheeks in her hands and stood on the tips of her toes to meet his lips. Immediately in response, Len wrapped his arms around the arch of her back, pulling her close to him. They only parted for breath before returning to each other, gasping between each kiss. Len's hands moved all over Rin's body, feeling her form and admiring it. Then slowly he began to push her back and when she felt the edge of her bed touch the back of her knees, she fell backward, gasping in surprise.

With his knees first, Len crawled on the bed after her, grasping her hand over the tangled sheets. He moved over her, having her body between his legs and his face directly above hers. Then he moved lips over her neck, tongue occasionally stroking her skin and left warmth wherever he traced. Len could hear Rin breathing hard against him, and that only made him push farther and farther. He welcomed the hands that stroked his back, and pushed himself against her a little more. However, just as he had begun to stroke his hand along her thigh, he felt a force that pushed him off of her. With Rin's hands pushing against his chest, he could clearly see her face again, red with excitement and panting, but her eyebrows arched and a small tear in the corner of her eye. Len smiled in understanding.

"Not yet?"

"I'm not ready for bitter things..." Rin mumbled, "So please be gentle for now."

Len chuckled and moved himself next to her, laying on his side to face her and take her into an embrace. Rin turned her body towards him and lifted a hand to stroke his cheek, smiling.

"I'll show you my heart, though..."

Len softly kissed her upper lip, "And I will show you mine." He lifted a hand from her body to stroke back the bangs that lingered over her eyes, "If you look into my eyes, you may be able to see it."

Rin was a bit baffled at what he meant, but when she peered closely, she could see her reflection dwelling in his eyes. She laughed at how ridiculous and silly his words may have sounded but she returned him with a small kiss. The moonlight continued to bathe them, and they remained still for a while longer, adoring each other's embrace. Small kisses were given here and there, and tiny chuckles were passed between them. Time had truly stopped.

"There will be a time when we can't turn back, though," Len whispered, "Once we've crossed the line too far."

"But that's fine with me," Rin replied, "No matter how far we go, I'll be there next to you."

"And no one will get close to us." Len added, "Wherever you go, I'll go."

To that Rin smiled and moved closer to Len so that she nuzzled up next to him. Len moved his arms so that he pulled her into a tighter embrace and moved his lips to the top of her head to kiss her hair. Listening to each other's heartbeats tick and synchronize as one, they held each other tightly under the moonlit night.

A/N: So I'm combining Magnet, Romeo and Cinderalla, AND Cantarella? Hopefully I'm not going too overboard with this. XD;; And hopefully I've been successful in plot development. Actually, we're about to reach the climax here, soon... maybe the chapter after next? Anyway, please review! I always love reading feedback. :)